The reality behind Ireland’s anti-submarine warfare plans

Advanced surveillance is a 24/7 operation, writes retired navy commander Tony Geraghty

The LÉ George Bernard Shaw docked at the base in Haulbowline. The North Atlantic is seen as a strategically significant environment, according to Tony Geraghty. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Over the past number of months there has been increasing media reporting on new capabilities being developed by Ireland in the maritime domain.

These include the naval service purchasing towed array sonar systems intended to improve detection of activity beneath the surface, and the air corps considering procuring sonobuoys for deployment from its maritime surveillance aircraft. Both developments have been framed in different ways.